Following the cessation of the activities of Genizon Biosciences Inc. in September 2011, the Superior Court of Québec mandated Génome Québec to take charge of the management of data and biological samples collected. The biological material (50,000 samples including 200,000 tubes) was relocated at the BioBank of Génome Québec – Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire in Chicoutimi.
Databases have been repatriated to the premises operated by Génome Québec. As trustee of the Genizon Biosciences Inc. data and samples, Génome Québec has ensured that the integrity of the biobank was preserved and subsequent research activities will be conducted in accordance with the established governance framework.
After analysis and consultation with various groups of experts, Génome Québec is launching a Call for Tenders for the transfer of Genizon Biosciences assets to a Québec research center while respecting the wishes expressed by the participants and the applicable ethical standards. Bids will be submitted to a review process by national (outside Quebec) and international experts. This process will be managed by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – santé (FRQS). The result of the evaluations provided by FRQS will be handed over to Genome Québec and the selected research center will be announced at the end of March 2013. The selected research center should provide the anonymized data and material of the biobank to the Quebec scientific community.
Génome Québec is a not-for-profit organization which funds major genomics research initiatives and their application. It receives funding from the Government of Québec, Genome Canada and other sources. If you are interested in responding to this Call for Tenders, please send a letter of intent to Génome Québec for instructions on the invitation to tender before January 11, 2013.